James Trafford has officially been called up to the England national team for this month’s World Cup qualifiers, replacing Nick Pope after the Newcastle goalkeeper suffered a concussion during their recent defeat to Brentford.The 23-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper steps in as part of Thomas Tuchel’s England setup and will join the squad ahead of crucial fixtures against Serbia and Albania.
Trafford’s Call-Up Confirmed
Although yet to make his senior international debut, James Trafford has been included in England squads previously and continues to impress under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Since returning to the Etihad Stadium this summer, Trafford has made five appearances across the Premier League and Carabao Cup, conceding just two goals — a strong record for a player still early in his top-flight career.
He joins fellow Manchester City players Phil Foden, John Stones, and Nico O’Reilly in the national team squad, giving the club another reason for pride during the international break.
England’s Dominant Qualifying Campaign
England have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup after winning all six qualifying matches to date. They have accumulated a perfect 18 points and remain the only team yet to concede a single goal in their qualifying group.
The upcoming fixtures will serve as an opportunity for Tuchel to experiment with his squad and potentially give opportunities to rising talents like Trafford, whose composure and shot-stopping ability have caught national attention.
Match reports and updates will be available shortly after each game on mancity.com and the official club app, covering every international featuring a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Full England Squad List
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
FAQs
1. Has James Trafford played for England before?
Not yet. Trafford has been part of England’s training camps previously but is still awaiting his official senior debut.
2. Who did Trafford replace in the England squad?
He replaced Nick Pope of Newcastle United, who withdrew due to a concussion injury.
3. What teams will England face this month?
England will face Serbia and Albania in the final round of World Cup qualifiers.
4. How has Trafford performed for Manchester City this season?
He has made five appearances across all competitions and conceded just two goals, showing remarkable consistency and maturity.
Conclusion
James Trafford’s inclusion in the England squad marks another important milestone in his promising career. His performances for Manchester City have earned him national recognition, and with his first senior call-up this season, the future looks incredibly bright for the young goalkeeper.
As England prepare to wrap up their qualifiers with two key fixtures, Trafford’s presence symbolizes the next generation of English talent ready to step up on the global stage.
